AUGUST PRIMARY WILL DECIDE RACES IN SCOTT COUNTY

BENTON -- Six Scott County incumbents face opposition in the August Democratic primary.

Not surprisingly in heavily Democratic Scott County, there are no Republican candidates for county office. So all of the contests will be decided in the primary election, with the November general election being a mere formality.

The filing period for candidates ended Tuesday, with Terry Herndon, 47, of Sikeston becoming the third candidate to file for assessor. Herndon was the last candidate to file for county office, a spokesman for the county clerk's office said.

There had been a fourth candidate for assessor Jim McGee of Sikeston, but he withdrew last month, citing personal reasons.

Herndon, who served as Sikeston's city planner for three years before resigning last month; and Teresa Houchin of Sikeston, a former school teacher, are challenging longtime incumbent Gerald Inman.

Inman has served as county assessor since 1976.

Both Herndon and Houchin have no complaints about Inman's performance, but they suggest it is time for a change.

"My feeling is no government position should be for a lifetime," said Herndon. "Maybe the system would be better served if there was more turnover in government positions."

Houchin said, "Everybody wants a change."

Herndon served in the Air Force for 20 years before retiring in 1989. He then worked as city planner for Sikeston, helping to rewrite city zoning ordinances.

In his job as city planner, Herndon said, he was well acquainted with property values.

"You get attuned to property values when you start talking about zoning ordinances," said Herndon, who is making his first foray into the political arena.

Houchin, 36, filed as a candidate last week.

A former elementary school teacher, Houchin quit teaching several years ago to help her father, John Houchin, with his Sikeston doughnut shop.

Although this is her first run for political office, Houchin said she has a background in politics.

She has been involved in political campaigns and her father previously ran unsuccessfully for county offices, including the position of assessor.

"I was at the point of my life, I was tired of teaching and wanted to do something different," she said.

In other races, Sheriff Bill Ferrell, who has served as sheriff for the past 16 years, faces a challenge from A.E. "Bud" Mills of Sikeston, a retired state trooper.

First District Commissioner Lynn Ingram of Sikeston, who is seeking re-election to a second term, is opposed by Walter E. Bizzell of Sikeston, a businessman and former U.S. Postal Service employee.

Second District Commissioner Joe Spalding of Benton is seeking a third, two-year term. He faces opposition from Oran Mayor Bob Dennis.

Coroner Scott Amick is opposed in his re-election bid by Lonnie Ponder, who owns a Sikeston funeral home.

Fielding Potashnick of Sikeston is currently serving as Division IV associate circuit judge. He was appointed in December to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Blanton. Blanton left the post to take the job of federal magistrate in Cape Girardeau.

Potashnick is now seeking election to serve the remaining two years of the unexpired term. He is opposed by David Dolan of Sikeston, who is in the middle of his first term as county prosecutor.

Public Administrator Sonny Alcorn and longtime Surveyor C.R. Waters are unopposed in their re-election bids.